All Good Things Must Come to an End

 Evening All,

They say all good things must come to an end, and this week saw the end of the CraftyCardmakers blog that I have been involved in since October 2011. Nine years of creativity and meeting new crafty friends.

I think sometimes that we all need a crafty nudge, and it has definitely been helpful on occasions to have a suggested project to work towards.

With that in mind I thought that I would share a card that I would have used for the challenge that would have gone live this week, 'Add a Critter'

Mine is a rather substantial critter it has to be said, from an old Penny Black calendar that came free with a crafting magazine many years ago...................I told you I never seem able to throw anything away. And why would I with such cute characters as this in it.

I added glossy accents to the cake icing, and the stacked sentiment and then added banners with the recipients names on them, twin boys that I met through working at the garage.

I'm sure that my Teamies and I will continue to meet up in blogland although it will seem strange not to have a deadline once a fortnight.

Thanks for stopping by.

Stay safe and hugs.

Kimx

1,2,3 with Woodware and CraftyCardmakers

Morning All,
It's my turn over at Woodware today, where we are playing along with Crafty Cardmakers.

The theme for the week is – 1 2 3

that is one stamped image, 2 papers and 3 different embellishments.

For my image I chose JGS446 Whimsical Flower Sally Anne, which was also chosen by Jane earlier in the week.

I stamped and embossed the image onto a piece of handmade background paper (watercolour card used to mop up excess ink on my craft mat)

I painted the stamped image using the same dye based inks and added a little starlight pen.

My two papers are from Craftwork Cards 8x8 pads Potting Shed and Vintage Backgrounds.

For my three different embellishments I have used dark brown stitched ribbon, Card Candi and a large wooden button.

The sentiment is from another fabulous Woodware stamp set JGS445 Meadow Flowers.
I hope that you are enjoying this weeks challenge and feel inspired to join in with us.
Happy Crafting.
Hugs Kimx

Winter Fun at the Crafty Cardmakers challenge

Evening All
Today sees the start of the last challenge of 2013 over at Crafty Cardmakers.
Our hostess, Marie, would like to see your interpretation of Winter Fun.
No Christmas cards/projects or New Year cards/projects, but some form of fun you might have during the Winter, for example, skiing, skating, sledding, building a snowman, snowballing.

For my card I chose an image from Lili of the Valley cut out and layered using Circular Nesties.
The background is a Stampendous Snowflake stamp CRR122 Cling Snowfall available from our sponsors SirStampalot, which I have stamped and embossed in white.

I added some Glossy Accents and Glitter Glue, as well as Faux Stitching.

The snowflake border has been cut from card that I have glittered using Diamond Sparkle Medium available from Imagination Crafts

The sentiment is also from an Imagination stamp set, and I added some Mica Powder to the snowflakes that I stamped over the embossed greeting.
We are sponsored for this challenge by SIR STAMPALOT and also by THE PAPER SHELTER.
Please don't forget to check out what the rest of our fabulous team have designed to inspire you.
Happy Crafting
hugs Kimx

Paper Piecing at Crafty Cardmakers.

Oops, I've done it again. I managed to make it right through to the 9th November this time, sharing a post with you every day, before I failed due to my very late journey back from the NEC.
I had to go back to Peterboro after the show, to pick up all the rest of my crafty stash and await the arrival of my lovely daughter, before continuing on to Surrey.
I suppose that will teach me that I really must get myself sorted with scheduled posts!!
Any how, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers, where Viv has chosen the theme of Paper Piecing.
I got a little carried away and made a set of four cards during my Metal and Burlap class, when I was at Janice and Andy's .

I showed the class how to make a quick and easy background using a 6x6 paper pad, and then used a lovely Whippersnapper stamp, Bazzil card stock and bleach as the basis for the Paper pieced panels.

I stamped the image onto three different but co-ordinating papers and also some metal foil as well as a piece of dark orange bazzil card.

I painted some of the images on each card using bleach which has taken out most of the colour.

I also cut out the flowers and heart and the pieced the images back together after first shaping them using a ball tool.

That were added using silicon to give added dimension.
I hope that you get the chance to join us during the next fortnight. Our prizes have been provided by SATURATED CANARY and WOODWARE CRAFT COLLECTION.
Hugs Kimx

Monochromatic Purple at Crafty Cardmakers

Hi All
As I suspected I slept through the storm. I hope that you are all safe and well and that there wasn’t too much damage to your neck of the woods.
We got away almost completely unscathed, unless you count the few things blown over in the garden, but nothing major. Probably the worst that we have had to contend with is that our Internet connection seems a little patchy although fortunately the Sky box is unaffected.
Today we are starting a new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers.
Fiona is our host and she has chosen Monochromatic Purple, as that is her favourite colour.

My card has been created using the Bordered Poppy stamp designed by one of our fabulous sponsors Hobby Art. I just love this stamp, it has got to be one of my favourites.
I stamped and embossed the image onto watercolour card using  black Versafine and clear embossing powder.

The colour was added using the ‘Wet Watercolour Technique’ and several different shades of Purple Pearlex from the Vintage, Stargazer and Metallics palettes.

The greeting down the left hand side of the card is from another favourite Hobby Art Stamp, and I have layered the watercoloured panel over a diecut shape cut using what I think is a Marianne Die.
I also added a circular panel in co-ordinating card and a piece of ribbon and some gems from my stash.
Don't forget to check out what the rest of the team have come up with to inspire you.
I'm not going to take any chances with this post, it has taken me most of the day to get on line.
Have a great evening.
Hugs Kimx

Woodware Challenge Sketch 26

Hi All
Each month over at Woodware they have a Sketch challenge.
The September one is still running so I thought that I would make a card with these cute little mice.
Of course it also fits in perfectly with our latest challenge at Crafty Cardmakers which is 'Cute and Furry' and they are definitely that.
The stamp is one of the latest in the new House Mouse Collection at Stampendous. In fact you may have seen Fran on the TV recently demonstrating with them.

 I have stamped and embossed the image onto watercolour card and then coloured them with Distress Inks.

The blue dotty background paper is from my stash, but I have stamped the Kraft panel with CRR182 Cling Holiday Giving using Versamark ink and clear embossing powder.
The sentiment is from another Woodware stamp set Festive Greetings (sorry don't know the code) and I have layered it over a die cut snowflake that has been embossed with Shabby White Frantage powder.

The snowflakes (SSC623) are stamped using a Pearlescent Iced Blue Brilliance ink pad and I added a little Frantage powder to the panel to act as snow, as well as some Glossy Accents to the berries.
I can see me using this stamp quite a bit, in fact my Granddaughter has asked me to stamp her a few to colour in lol.
Thanks for stopping by, your comments are always appreciated.
Hugs Kimx
Hugs Kimx

Cute and Furry at Crafty Cardmakers

Evening Everyone
Today we are starting a new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers.
Our host is Jackie, who has chosen the theme 'Cute and Furry'. She would like to see the main focal point of your creation be something that is cute and furry. It can be a digi stamp, stamp, photographic image, but must have fur and be cute.

I seem to be in Christmas mode at the moment so my little cute and furry creature is an old Penny Black image that I have had for ages. 
The background papers are from a Lili of the Valley 8 x 8 paper pad and I have stamped and embossed a large Woodware Christmas Background down the left hand side of the card.

I did some Grid Masking around the little mouse, a technique that I learnt from the wonderful Barbara Gray many years ago. The panels that the masking has created have been stamped with numerous snowflakes from my collection. I think most of the images are by Stampendous.

The large snowflake and snowflake border are Joy Craft dies which I have then  covered in Shabby White Frantage powder.

Of course it wouldn't be a Christmas card without a bit of bling so I added some Glitter Domes and a little bit of glitter glue.
We are sponsored this time by DI'S DIGISTAMPS and also THE STAMPMAN who stock all of the Stampendous and Woodware products. 
Don't forget to stop by and show some love to the rest of the team, and get out those cute and furry images.
Happy Crafting.
Hugs Kimx

A Christmas Teddy

Hi All
I seem to have just about caught up with the tiredness that has overtaken me this week, which is just as well cause I get to do it all again tomorrow when Jane and I travel up to Skipton.
I have prepped the rest of my class packs, so I just have to pack my case and write a few scheduled posts for while I’m away, if the Internet will let me, this post has taken several hours to finish !!
I though that tonight I would remind you that you still have a couple of days left to enter our Snow and Ice challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers.

I made this card a little while ago using some background papers from my stash to create the Bargello panel at the back of the card.

I also used several different dies for the flowers and trees, and plenty of glitter glue for snow and ice.

The Teddy is a lovely Lili of the Valley topper, also from my stash, and the whole thing has been mounted onto a panel with snowflakes 'Punched Around the Page' courtesy of Martha Stewart.

The blues and browns matched the coloured image perfectly and made it a little different from the usual Christmas colours.
I would like to enter this into the following challenges, I haven't done that for ages lol.
Cute Card Thursday - Hip to be Square
Crafty Creations Challenges - Let's get Krafty
CraftyHazelnuts Christmas Challenge - Layer it Up
CraftyHazelnuts Christmas Challenge Extra - Anything Goes

Must get packing now.

Have a great weekend.

hugs Kimx

1, 2, 3 challenge at Crafty Cardmakers

Hi
Today sees the start of a new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers where our Host Elaine has chosen the theme of '1,2,3'.- 1 image, 2 patterned papers and 3 embellishments. 
Please ensure your project has the required elements in the required quantities and that you tell us what your three embellishments are.
We are sponsored by THE PAPER SHELTER with a $20 gift certificate, and WOODWARE CRAFT COLLECTION, with a prize of £12.00 to spend at your favourite Woodware Stockist, either in store or on line.

 For my card I have chosen to use Huge Happy Birthday from our sponsors Woodware as my image. 

My two patterned papers are from our other sponsor The Paper Shelter and are from one of their 8 x 8 digi paper pads. My three embellishments are a black brad,

some dotty ribbon and a button, all available from Woodware. 
Don't forget to stop by and share the love with the rest of the team, and why not give it a go yourself.
Hugs Kimx

Better Late than Never.... and a very Happy Birthday to Two Special People

Hi All,
Well not quite the morning post that I had hoped but I made it at last.

Here is the card that I made for the latest challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers where our host Lin has chosen the theme of 'Birthday' to help celebrate the launch of the challenge 4 years ago.
Our sponsors this time are HOBBY ART and DI'S DIGISTAMPS.

With this in mind I have chosen to use a lovely new HOBBY ART design Sharon's Birthday Vase for my card. 

I stamped the vase onto Woodware watercolour card, which I am loving, and then coloured the image using Distress Inks.

I paper pieced the vase using some of the background papers and then cut the image out using one of my numerous Circular Nesties. Of course I had to add some faux stitching.

The background to the main card has been made using background papers from my stash and a Hexagon Die.
Yes it is a little time consuming distressing the edges, putting it all back together and then adding the stitching, but it is so worth the effort I think.

I wanted to add Birthday Greetings to the card but without hiding the background, so the obvious answer was Timber Brown Staz-on and some acetate.
I hid the silicon under the vase but added some brads to the corners of the acetate panel to make sure that it remained flat and in place.
Why not check out the challenge and see what the rest of the team have come up with to inspire you.
While we are on the subject of Birthdays today is a special day for two very special little people.
Saskia and Ciaran are 6.
I cannot believe where that time has gone to. It seems only yesterday that I was picking Megan and Reece up from school, in the pouring rain I might add!!!!, so that we could go and visit their brand new baby Brother and Sister.
I wonder if there will be a royal birth today? That would certainly make it easy to remember.
Have a great evening. I am sitting in the doorway at Sirstampalot catching a lovely evening breeze while the ladies are beavering away at Christmas Club.
Hugs to all, and especially Ciaran and Sas.
Kimx

I'm a really bad blogger

Hi All
I'm sorry, I'm a really bad DT blogger aren't I.

There you were expecting to see my card for the Crafty Cardmakers challenge, and all you have is a sneak peek.
Well I do have an excuse, another one I hear you all say!!
I'm in Peterboro, and it's hot, and I'm tired.
There I admit it, I'm rubbish in this heat.
I've come up to SirStampalot for a few days to work on some DT stuff and the journey has done me in.
How do people travel on the train and underground every day??
I couldn't do it for a day let alone a lifetime.
So I am going go and get some sleep, and I will try and get my post done tomorrow morning before it gets too hot, and anything else conspires to stop me.
Stick with me folks, I hope that you will consider it worth it.
hugs Kimx

Father's Day at Crafty Cardmakers

Evening Everyone

 Today we have a new challenge starting over at Crafty Cardmakers. Our host is Feebsy, who has chosen the theme of  'Father's Day'
As it's Father's Day here in the UK on 16th of June Feebsy would  like to see anything you've created for or have been inspired to make by an important male figure in your life. 
It could be anything from a card, a scrapbook page, a knitted scarf or a piece of altered art. It does not have to be specifically for Father's Day ( I don't want you spoiling a surprise for anyone) but let us know the inspiration behind your work. 

Whenever I think of my Dad, now sadly no longer with us, I always think of the garden and wild birds.
I can close my eyes now and see him sitting at the table under the window watching the wondrous array of wild birds that graced the bird table and assorted shrubs and bushes.
And there were certainly lots of them from common sparrows and blue tits to much rarer goldcrests and tiny wrens.
He could name them all.
Unfortunately in later years he was no longer able to work on the garden, and when he could it was the vegetable patch that was always his baby and flowers my Mum's province.
I remember one year when we were very young, my sister saved a baby thrush from the cat.
Surprisingly it survived and we spent that Spring digging the vegetable patch from one side to the other (and it was a very large stretch) in search of worms to feed Gus (the thrush).
That stretch of garden was never dug so well, before or since, and miraculously we were able to raise Gus until he was old enough for us to take to the local Bird Sanctuary.
So you can see why I chose this lovely stamp from Stampendous for my card.

The sentiment stamp on the right hand side is also available through WOODWARE CRAFT COLLECTION who are one of our wonderful sponsors with a £12 voucher to be spent at one of their Retailers. 

Our other sponsor this time is THE PAPER SHELTER with a $20 Gift certificate. 
Now I am not good with digi images but they do have some fabulous Digital Paper Pads so I bought a couple of them and used some of the designs from one set on my card. 

The feathers and buttons are also from Woodware.

I would like to enter this in to the following challenges

Brown Sugar Challenge - Masculine Birthday

Sweet Stampin Challenge - Fathers Day

ABC Challenges - Masculine Cards

I hope that you pop along and join us this time. 

Don't forget that the Girls from Woodware will be playing along with us every day this week so stop by and show them some love as well as the rest of the CCM  team.

Happy Crafting.

hugs Kimx

Is it a Birthday or a Christmas card?

Evening Everyone
I hope you have had a good day.
Why is it that I always start off with the intention of dropping in on my wonderful blogging buddies, and then I get carried away with my card making, and here we are with another late post and no commenting done!!
I would say that I will try and do better but I just know that I will fall at the first hurdle, the half finished card on my desk will draw me in and I will be lost to my craft room once again lol.

I'm not sure whether my card tonight should be classed as a card for a Winter Birthday, or a Christmas Card.
Perhaps with a well placed sentiment it could be used for either.
I found the central panel in my bits box when I was searching for inspiration for our current challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers. This is to choose 3 from a list of 6 techniques to use on your project.
As one of them is masking you see why this panel was among the possibilities for my card.

The image has been stamped and embossed onto a piece of background paper made using the Faux Mother of Pearl technique.
I added a masked moon to the background before I applied my dye based ink.

All the other papers are from my stash, and I used the sketch at CLP Challenges for my layout.

I think the pine branch at the bottom of the card is what gives it it's Christmassy feel.

I must confess to a bit of a double take when I opened the door this morning, but fortunately our 'Snow' is distinctly pink and floral (Cherry Blossom) unlike the poor souls in Devon and Cornwall who woke to the real thing according to the papers.
Better stop now. I will get around to all of your wonderful blogs, but as I still have to finish my class prep for Saturday, I doubt it will be tomorrow. You see I'm a lost cause already :O)
Night night.
Hugs Kimx